wait at dawn with weapons ready; be on high alert
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to wait at dawn with one's head pillowed on weapons; to maintain vigilance against the enemy and be ready for combat
literaryLiterally describes sleeping with one's head resting on a weapon, awaiting daybreak. Figuratively describes a state of constant military readiness and vigilance. Often used to describe border guards, soldiers, or patriots maintaining a defensive posture.
Biān边
fáng防
zhàn战
shì士
cháng常
nián年
zhěn枕
gē戈
dài待
dàn旦
，
shǒu守
hù护
zhe着
zǔ祖
guó国
de的
ān安
quán全
。
The border guards stand ready year-round with weapons in hand, safeguarding the security of the motherland.
Miàn面
duì对
dí敌
rén人
de的
wēi威
xié胁
，
wǒ我
men们
bì必
xū须
zhěn枕
gē戈
dài待
dàn旦
，
tí提
gāo高
jǐng警
tì惕
。
In the face of enemy threats, we must maintain constant vigilance and remain combat-ready.
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Jiàng将
shì士
men们
zhěn枕
gē戈
dài待
dàn旦
，
suí随
shí时
zhǔn准
bèi备
chū出
jī击
。
The officers and soldiers rest with weapons at the ready, prepared to strike at any moment.